In what could be a lull before a legal maelstrom for Cincinnati-based Chiquita Brands International, attorneys involved in several pending federal lawsuits against the company expect a Florida judge to soon decide to let their cases proceed. The cases charge the owners of the giant produce firm of helping fund Central American paramilitary groups through much of the 1990s, fueling the groups' terrorist activities. Chiquita has asked Marra to dismiss the cases, which otherwise could cost the company billions of dollars.